Solid Touchchromic Device with Polymer Electrolyte
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photochromic devices require external power and have slow coloration and decoloration processes compared to electrochromic devices, necessitating the development of chromic devices that can operate without external power and change colors faster.
Innovation Solution
Solid touchchromic devices comprising a solid electrolyte layer derived from a polymer, an acid, and an oxidant, combined with a conductive polymer film and a conductive plate, which change color upon metal contact and revert when the metal is removed, without requiring external energy sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If photochromic devices are used to operate without external power, then energy independence is achieved, but coloration and decoloration speed becomes slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a solid electrolyte layer as an intermediary between the conductive polymer film and the metal contact. This electrolyte layer enables rapid ion transport that facilitates fast coloration and decoloration transitions while maintaining the ability to operate without external power sources. The electrolyte acts as a mediator that accelerates the electrochemical reactions at the polymer-metal interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the electrolyte from liquid to solid form, and controls the oxidation state of the conductive polymer through controlled reactions with metal contacts. By adjusting parameters such as the polymer's oxidation level and the electrolyte's ionic conductivity, the device achieves both power independence and rapid response times.
2Speed
If electrochromic devices are used to achieve fast coloration and decoloration, then speed is improved, but external power source requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses the metal contact itself as the power source for coloration. When a metal object touches the conductive polymer film, the metal's electrons directly drive the electrochemical reduction of the polymer, causing coloration without needing an external power supply. The system serves itself by using the interacting object's inherent properties (metallic conductivity) to power the color change.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using an external power source to drive ion flow from the electrolyte to the polymer, the invention inverts the approach by using the metal contact's electrons to directly reduce the polymer at the interface. The coloration is triggered by the metal's electrons flowing into the polymer, rather than by external electrical power driving ions through the electrolyte.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solid touchchromic devices can rapidly change colors in response to metal contact and revert back, operating without external power, making them suitable for applications like camouflage, sensors, and displays, with potential for faster color transitions than existing photochromic devices.
Implementation Method 1
the solid touchchromic device changes from a first color to a second color in response to the metal contacting the solid electrolyte layer
Implementation Method 2
the conductive polymer film in contact with the conductive plate and the solid electrolyte layer
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a solid touchchromic device. The solid touchchromic device may include a conducting polymer or a conducting polymer composite film, a conducting plate, and a solid layer of a polymer-based electrolyte, the conducting plate being at least partially coated by the conducting polymer or the conducting polymer composite film. The solid touchchromic device may further include an oxidant, a salt, an acid, or a metal. Also included are methods of producing a solid touchchromic device and articles including a solid touchchromic device.